The Chatelet mantle bed combines tufted upholstery with a mantle headboard to create a shelter perfect for breakfast in bed. Photo: Hooker Furniture
When I watch Downton Abbey–which I do like homework when there is a test on Monday–I am a bit envious of Lady Grantham having her breakfast brought to her in bed every morning. And I remain amused that it was the tradition of the time that only married women were allowed this special privilege.
Lady Grantham of Downton Abbey fame enjoys breakfast in bed daily. Photo: PBS.
Well, today we’ve come a long way, and breakfast in bed is a luxury available to all. And what would make the ritual all the more delightful? An upholstered headboard that is comfy and cozy. And this is only one of the joys made even more pleasant when one can rest on such a surface. Reading, taking tea, watching TV are all among them.
Thank goodness for the revival of upholstered headboards! There are choices for every taste, from the elegant to the modern to tailored. The romance of this lovely amenity is back in our busy lives, make our bedrooms into retreats.
To the manor born, the Grandover king shelter bed is “castle quality,” even featuring hand-rubbed gold accents on its dramatic black carved borders. Photo: Hooker Furniture
For those with a bent for the luxurious in a master bedroom, the regal style of the Grandover Shelter Bed is an ideal choice.
Inspired by the alluring island of Corsica with its blend of cultures and sun-washed landscapes, this bed is upholstered in refreshing cotton and its woods are acacia solids and veneers. Photo: Hooker Furniture.
What makes the Corsica Upholstered Shelter Bed so appealing is its timelessness and natural fabric. That makes it the perfect backdrop for organic linens, for example. This bed is proof positive that an upholstered headboard moves easily to accommodate your personal style.
The Delights of Breakfast in Bed
Breakfast in bed is a luxury we can indulge in more often.
Breakfast in bed is a ritual for special occasions, surely. But it need not be relegated to rare times when one can enjoy it more frequently, especially with the support and comfort of an upholstered headboard.
My friend Kim Freeman is a devotee. Says Kim, “There is nothing more wonderful than returning to a warm, cozy bed with a breakfast tray. It’s very precious time for me–a way to start the day in quiet, still savoring the lovely sleep of the night before.”
Kim Freeman.
Breakfast fare may be as simple as a cup of tea or coffee and a croissant, but here are some delicious recipes to inspire you when you are in the mood for more romantic choices–like stuffed French toast or eggs Benedict.
This heart-shaped, stuffed French toast is a good breakfast-in-bed treat. Photo: rachelraymag.com
Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and chives is a more ambitious breakfast-in-bed fare. Photo: bbcgoodfood.com
Depending on your mood and appetite, you might opt for this Fruity Stuffed French Toast Hearts recipe, or go with something really hearty and filling, this Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and chives recipe.
Read-with-Tea Moments
Taking a cup of caffeine-free tea, such as Harney’s Herbal Cinnamon Spice, and a good book to your private retreat is surely a privilege a beautiful bedroom makes possible. To transport your tea, use Royal Albert’s Tea Service in Polka Rose. This elegant pot-and-cup combination is very handy and looks delightful at bedside.
Royal Albert’s tea service in Polka Rose.
Just as books transport you to new worlds, the unique Chatelet tufted and carved upholstered panel bed has the same objective.
This silhouette recalls the exteriors and interiors of Europe’s “little castles” filled with farm-style antiques.
You might imagine yourself in the heart of France or high in the Swiss Alps in this carved Chatelet upholstered panel bed. Photo: Hooker Furniture
Two friends, Dottie and Janet, concur that a wordly read not to be missed is Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See. You might want to check out this National Book Award Finalist for your quiet reading moments.
And for a book to dream on, coming out in April is Rachel Ashwell: The World of Shabby Chic. It’s the story of the woman who for 25 years has brought her personal decorating style to all of us. Comfort and luxury are hallmarks of her style and no one has more reverence for the vintage than Rachel Ashwell.
Rachel Ashwell introduced vintage comfort and luxury to American home décor and her book will be published this Spring.
Good Reasons to Nap
In case you feel a bit guilty when you choose to take a midday nap, no less than the Mayo Clinic gives you some reasons why its a good idea for your health. You reduce stress, improve your mood and even improve your memory when you nap, as this article explains.
And as the poet once reminded us, the “cool kindness of sheets” will soothe away troubles. Such benefits merit a bed beautifully upholstered like the Grand Palais Panel Bed.
The Grand Palais Upholstered and Carved Bed. Photo: Hooker Furniture.
For the Do-It-Yourselfer
The editors of This Old House. promise you can achieve the luxury of an upholstered headboard by following their step-by-step instruction
A do-to-yourself headboard idea from “This Old House.”
“It’s easier than you can imagine.” Materials are plywood and foam, of course, and the special tip from the magazine: nailheads sold in strips. Another idea is to position your upholstered headboard below the height of your mattress, avoiding uncomfortable gaps.
SUM: There are upholstered headboards for every décor. All lend themselves to a bedroom more comfortable and inviting–a place to rest, retreat and renew.
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